| Self-help |
| Psychology |
| Depression |
| Interpersonal Relations |
| Mood Disorders |
Summary
Summary
Men appear to enjoy many advantages in society-on average they make more money, have more power, and enjoy a greater degree of social freedom than women. But many men pay a high price for the pursuit of success and power. Taking family and friends for granted, men will often let relationships take a back seat to their professional ambitions, only to ultimately find themselves with few real friends they can rely on in hard times. As a result, they turn to affairs, alcohol, and other self-destructive behaviors. Sadly, millions of men suffer untreated depression.
In this groundbreaking and provocative book, award-winning clinical psychologist Thomas Joiner makes an impassioned call for society to recognize the harmful effects that solitude can have on men. Drawing on original research done for the National Institute of Mental Health, he focuses on the particular situations that leave men rudderless. He offers advice on support systems that are most useful to men, and he offers prescriptive advice on how men can improve their lives.
Author Notes
Recognized expert in men's health, Thomas Joiner, PhD, is The Robert O. Lawton Distinguished Professor of Psychology at Florida State University. He is an advisor to Men's Health magazine and is principal investigator of the Department of Defense-funded Military Suicide Research Consortium, an $18.1 million dollar project on how to lower suicide rates in the military. Recipient of fellowships from the Guggenheim and the Rockefeller Foundation, he has made numerous radio, print, and television appearances, including The Wall Street Journal , National Public Radio, and Dr. Phil. He lives in Tallahassee, FL.
Reviews (2)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Male loneliness is an often overlooked and potentially life-threatening problem that develops as men age, or so posits clinical psychologist Joiner (Why People Die by Suicide; Myths About Suicide). He traces how, across the male lifespan, loneliness can accelerate from one undetected and seemingly benign type to more disruptive and possibly detrimental states. Using examples from studies, literature, and anecdotes from pop culture as well as his own observations of family, specifically his father, who committed suicide, Joiner identifies the main sources of loneliness as males age-including being "interpersonally spoiled" with built-in friendships during one's youth (despite lack of effort, compared to girls, to maintain connections); excessive valuing of autonomy; excessive fixation on status and money to the point of neglecting connections with others; and, often, simply being late in life. Joiner argues the problem of male loneliness can be solved most successfully by remodeling already inherent behaviors into more adaptive ones. He puts forth down-to-earth and simple yet effective solutions, such as making one phone call every day, reunions, sleep regulation, and connection to nature. Joiner's well-rounded approach brings attention to a prevalent problem. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Kirkus Review
Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
